Page 24 - EE Times Europe Magazine – June 2024

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Ethernet Connectivity Drives Zonal Architectures

10BASE-T1S multidrop, shared network capability (Source: Analog Devices Inc.)

as ADAS and infotainment, where there is a probably only one paper about it, so it’s really aiding 10BASE-T1S’s adoption.”
need for high-bandwidth connections, to use taken off. 10BASE-T1S fits very well with EE Times Europe asked Hurley whether
another architecture.” the transition to zonal-based architectures, automotive customers will implement
and Ethernet to the edge also makes a lot of 10BASE-T1S’s power-over-data-line (PoDL)
REDUCING CABLES, REDUCING WEIGHT sense. Over the years, we’ve all worked on power delivery capability. “Even though
Hurley said that one of the driving forces technologies that were either too early or too power delivery has been in the 802.3bu spec-
toward adopting a zonal architecture is late—10BASE-T1S really seems to intersect ification since 2016, Ethernet’s automotive
to reduce the vehicle’s weight. “The cable the transition to zone-based architecture at deployment has initially been from ECU to
harness, typically representing several just the right time. 10BASE-T1S is a growing ECU, so PoDL doesn’t fit very well there due
kilometers, is a significant proportion of a market, and we’re working with OEMs across to the high power consumption requirements.
vehicle’s weight. The location of the zones the globe.” However, connecting to edge sensors and
is another consideration. The doors, for exam- actuators tends to be lower-power, so now we
ple, are a good location to gather together the MULTIDROP: A KEY FEATURE see that PoDL does bring value, so it’s desir-
sensors and actuators. Another broader aspect OF 10BASE-T1S able and beneficial. It’s something we will
of zonal architectures is to reduce the number EE Times Europe asked Hurley whether definitely see the rollout of in the not-too-
of ECUs. In the past, the number of ECUs in a multidrop is paramount to the success of distant future.”
vehicle rose exponentially as new functions 10BASE-T1S automotive adoption. “Nearly
were added. Now, there is a desire to reduce every customer we talk to and every applica- The zonal E/E architecture
them, providing cost savings for the OEM and tion we work on uses multidrop,” he said. “It
maintenance costs for the customer.” really helps its adoption and with reducing represents an evolution from
the cable harness weight challenge. Ethernet
SHORTENING CYCLE TIMES has been used in automotive since about 2013 a legacy domain approach to
EE Times Europe asked whether the cycle and has a suite of tools, has time-sensitive cabling that connects similar
times for bringing new vehicle platforms networking to give you determinism and
changed as these megatrends took hold. comes with security and safety capabilities. functions, such as chassis and
“We are seeing car platforms refreshed more Although the physical layer is new, and it’s body/comfort, to those based
frequently,” Hurley said. “Fifteen years ago, it multidrop, you can layer it on top of the
was probably a six-year cycle; now, it’s signifi- existing suite of tools to yield an effective on physical location.
cantly shortened and continuing to reduce. solution.”
New entrants into the market are also forcing
some of the traditional OEMs to accelerate CONNECTOR FLEXIBILITY, POWER TAKING 10BASE-T1S ONE STEP FURTHER
the refresh of their vehicles. There is a desire DELIVERY CAPABILITY Hurley told EE Times Europe that ADI had
across the industry to update platforms, and Hurley noted that the IEEE specifies no con- taken 10BASE-T1S one step forward with its
in the interim, some platform functions are nector for 10BASE-T1S. “The IEEE typically Ethernet to the Edge Bus (E B) technology.
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updatable with over-the-air updates, bringing shies away from defining the cable and con- “E B aims to simplify the design process by
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the latest features to customers as early as nector types, which allows OEMs to continue removing the need for microcontrollers in
possible.” using the popular connector methods already edge nodes for 10BASE-T1S applications and
in use. Unshielded and unjacketed cables fits well into a fully Ethernet automotive
10BASE-T1S ADOPTION ESCALATING are becoming the norm for 10BASE-T1S to architecture. Earlier this year, we announced
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen a step make it an economically viable solution. our collaboration with BMW Group to imple-
up in engagement and rollout of 10BASE-T1S Using an unjacketed pair opens options for ment our E B 10BASE-T1S technology for the
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in automotive,” Hurley said. “If you look at building your cable harness and simplifies ambient lighting system in future vehicles.
the topics discussed at this year’s Automotive implementation. Customers can use their E B removes microcontrollers from edge
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Ethernet Congress, I’d say that between 50% existing multifunction connectors rather sensors and actuators, moving the software to
and 75% of the papers had a focus on than having to design in specialist connectors an ECU, greatly simplifying software develop-
10BASE-T1S. Three years ago, there was and through-bulkhead fixtures, significantly ment and qualification tasks.” ■

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